• PWD Development Services July 2023 Newsletter

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    Stormwater Management Guidance Manual v 3.3 is now live!

    Today, Development Services is pleased to introduce Version 3.3 of the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual. With this revision, the reader will see:

    • Refreshed watershed maps
    • New climate change adaptation considerations
    • Elaboration on the Channel Protection and Flood Control requirements for regulated projects that discharge directly to the Schuykill and its tributaries
    • Option to utilize dynamic design in the sizing of bioinfiltration SMPs
    • Addition of a new PWD Design Storm rainfall distribution requirement for Water Quality compliance analysis
    • Enhanced landscaping guidance, including new Manual Section 4.13 and new Appendix Section F.19
    • Clarifications of the Inspection and Enforcement processes
    • Further refinement of SMP Design and Material Standards and Standard Details
    • Definitive Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement and SMP Maintenance Guide requirements
    • Expanded guidance for demolition and construction activities
    • New section, Appendix M, describing applicant responsibilities during PCSMP Project Closeout

    Additionally, along with the Manual’s various revised sections, the document itself now occupies a new location within PWD’s rapidly expanding Development Services website at water.phila.gov/development/. Meanwhile, our Plan Review submittal site, with its Project Dashboard and Reg Finder, continues to reside at pwdplanreview.org.

    New! Procedural Change: Permit completion holds in eCLIPSE

    As of August 1, 2023, the Water Department will insert holds on new building permit applications that trigger the PWD Stormwater Management Review. PWD will resolve the hold once compliance is confirmed for the project and associated permit including, but not limited to, the following: 

    1. Pay all review and inspection fees
    2. Obtain a Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Final Inspection Report
    3. Execute and Record and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement
    4. Submit a compliant Record Drawing

    The Final CO will not be issued by L&I until the PWD hold has been resolved. Please note that the Temporary CO may also be held by L&I for projects that include a stormwater-related Zoning Code Bonus.

    PWD will also continue to impose holds on any issued permits with violation concerns.

    This procedure can be viewed in the new Appendix M. PCSMP Closeout of the revised Stormwater Management Guidance Manual. Any questions about this new procedure should be directed to Stormwater Plan Review at PWD.PlanReview@phila.gov.